TEHRAN, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) — Iran said Monday that it had attacked U.S. military targets in Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, and shot down a U.S. drone over the Strait of Hormuz, after U.S. strikes on Iranian rocket launchers, the first such U.S. attack on Iran in a month.
U.S. Central Command spokesperson Tim Hawkins said the strikes targeted two launchers on Larak Island, off the coast of Bandar Abbas and south of Hormuz Island.
Hawkins said in a statement that Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) forces had been observed preparing to launch rockets and sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s IRGC said the United States and Israel attacked Larak Island on Sunday night, killing and wounding military personnel and civilians.
Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency said at least two people were killed and two others injured in the “drone attack by the United States” on the island.
The IRGC said Monday that its aerospace forces had carried out retaliatory drone and ballistic missile strikes against U.S. targets at two air bases in Jordan.
It identified the targeted air bases as King Hussein and Al-Azraq, saying that the strikes hit technical and maintenance infrastructure as well as fighter aircraft hangars belonging to the United States, causing heavy damage.
Describing the attack as a “punishment for the aggressor,” the IRGC said, “Aggression and crime will not solve the enemy’s desperation to weaken Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz.”
It added that every military action by the enemy would be met with more “devastating” responses and that it has launched dozens of drones at Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, targeting areas where U.S. helicopters and personnel were stationed.
Separately, the IRGC said it had shot down a U.S. MQ-9 drone over the Strait of Hormuz with air defense missiles, causing it to crash into Gulf waters.
The latest exchange of fire came as the U.S.-Iran conflict entered its sixth month. In recent weeks, the U.S. has stepped up economic pressure on Iran, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent declaring an “economic D-Day” against Iran, unveiling new sanctions aimed at further isolating its economy.
